Device including plurality of markers

Abstract

An input device includes a case body and a plurality of markers 30 d, 30 e , and 30 p configured to emit light to the outside of the case body. When an angle difference between the normal directions of the two markers 30 d and 30 e is less than a predetermined threshold value, a distance between the two markers 30 d and 30 e is equal to or greater than a predetermined first distance. When an angle difference between the normal directions of the two markers 30 d and 30 p is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, a distance between the two markers 30 d and 30 p is equal to or greater than a predetermined second distance, and the second distance is shorter than the first distance.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a case body including:
 a grasping portion to be grasped by a user's hand; and 
 a curved portion, 
   wherein:
 the case body is configured to receive fingers of a user between the grasping portion and the curved portion so as to grasp the grasping portion, 
 the curved portion includes a plurality of markers configured to emit light to an outside of the case body, 
 at least one marker of the plurality of markers is arranged such that a distance between two markers of the plurality of markers is based on an angle difference between normal directions of the two markers, and 
 the light emitted from the plurality of markers is used to determine a relative position of the device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the curved portion includes a first end and a second end,   the first end of the curved portion extends from a first side of the grasping portion,   the second end of the curved portion extends from a second side of the grasping portion, and   the first side of the grasping portion is opposite to the second side of the grasping portion.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of operating members configured to be operated by the user.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the plurality of operating members are spaced from the curved portion, and   the plurality of operating members are spaced from the grasping portion.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the plurality of operating members are arranged on a head of the case body and include an analog stick for performing a tilt operation; and   at least one press button.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the device is an input device in communication with a head-mounted display, and   the device is configured to control software due to movement thereof and manipulation of one or more of the plurality of the operating members.   
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 one or more images of the device is captured with an image sensing device attached to the head-mounted display.   
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plurality of markers includes   a first group of markers provided at a first side of the curved portion; and   a second group of markers provided at a second side of the curved portion, and   the first side of the curved portion is spaced apart from the second side of the curved portion in a width direction of the curved portion.   
     
     
         9 . A device comprising:
 a case body including:
 a grasping portion to be grasped by a user's hand; 
 a curved portion; and 
 a plurality of operating members configured to be operated by the user, 
   wherein:
 the case body is configured to receive fingers of a user between the grasping portion and the curved portion so as to grasp the grasping portion, 
 the curved portion includes a plurality of markers configured to emit light to an outside of the case body, 
 at least one marker of the plurality of markers is arranged such that a distance between two markers of the plurality of markers is based on an angle difference between normal directions of the two markers, and 
 the light emitted from the plurality of markers is to be received by an image sensing device of a head-mounted display to determine a relative position of the device. 
   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the curved portion includes a first end and a second end,   the first end of the curved portion extends from a first side of the grasping portion,   the second end of the curved portion extends from a second side of the grasping portion, and   the first side of the grasping portion is opposite to the second side of the grasping portion.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the plurality of operating members are spaced from the curved portion, and   the plurality of operating members are spaced from the grasping portion.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the plurality of operating members are arranged on a head of the case body and include an analog stick for performing a tilt operation; and   at least one press button.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the device is an input device in communication with the head-mounted display, and   the device is configured to control software due to movement thereof and manipulation of one or more of the plurality of the operating members.   
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 one or more images of the device is captured with an image sensing device of the head-mounted display.   
     
     
         15 . A system including:
 a device including
 a case body including: 
 a grasping portion to be grasped by a user's hand; and 
 a curved portion; and 
 a head-mounted display including an image sensing device, 
   wherein:
 the case body is configured to receive fingers of a user between the grasping portion and the curved portion so as to grasp the grasping portion, 
 the curved portion includes a plurality of markers configured to emit light to an outside of the case body, 
 at least one marker of the plurality of markers is arranged such that a distance between two markers of the plurality of markers is based on an angle difference between normal directions of the two markers, and 
 the head-mounted display captures, via the image sensing device, the light emitted from the plurality of markers to determine a relative position of the device. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the curved portion includes a first end and a second end,   the first end of the curved portion extends from a first side of the grasping portion,   the second end of the curved portion extends from a second side of the grasping portion, and   the first side of the grasping portion is opposite to the second side of the grasping portion.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the device further includes a plurality of operating members configured to be operated by the user.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the plurality of operating members are spaced from the curved portion, and   the plurality of operating members are spaced from the grasping portion.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the plurality of operating members are arranged on a head of the case body and include an analog stick for performing a tilt operation; and   at least one press button.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the device is configured to control software due to movement thereof and manipulation of one or more of the plurality of the operating members.   
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the grasping portion includes at least one marker arranged in a position not hidden by the hand when the user grasps the grasping portion. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the grasping portion includes at least one marker arranged in a position not hidden by the hand when the user grasps the grasping portion. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the grasping portion includes at least one marker arranged in a position not hidden by the hand when the user grasps the grasping portion. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distance is equal to or greater than a first distance when the angle difference is less than a predetermined threshold value, and
 wherein the distance is equal to or greater than a second distance that is shorter than the first distance, when the angle difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value.   
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the distance is equal to or greater than a first distance when the angle difference is less than a predetermined threshold value, and
 wherein the distance is equal to or greater than a second distance that is shorter than the first distance, when the angle difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the distance is equal to or greater than a first distance when the angle difference is less than a predetermined threshold value, and
 wherein the distance is equal to or greater than a second distance that is shorter than the first distance, when the angle difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value.